The Los Banos Police Department is investigating two separate convenience store robberies reported within a few days of each other.
On December 20, 2013 at approximately 8:32 p.m., the Los Banos Police Department responded to a convenience store in the 800 Block of West Pacheco Boulevard after receiving a report from the store clerk of a robbery. The clerk reported a white male entered the business with a handgun and robbed the clerk of cash. The suspect left the area on foot, and was last seen wearing gray pants and a gray sweatshirt.
On December 23, 2013 at approximately 3:51 a.m., the Los Banos Police Department responded to a convenience store in the 400 Block of North Mercy Springs Road after receiving a report of an armed robbery.
When Officers arrived, the store clerk reported a white male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black “skinny” jeans, black shoes, black gloves, and a black bandana covering his face, walked into the store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint. The clerk cooperated with the suspect, who fled on foot after stealing cash from the business. The store clerk was not injured during the robbery and a photograph of the suspect from the store surveillance system has been attached.
“We are certainly looking into the possibility that some of these weekend cases may be related but at this point it’s too early to be sure.”
-Ray Reyna, Commander
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact Detective Justin Melden at (209) 827-7070 ext. 114 or by contacting the Merced Area Crime Stoppers.
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
